UFC 281 turned out to be a historic night for fight fans with some exciting results and some incredible moments for fight fans to remember for years to come. Fans are touting it as one of the finest cards in the history of the UFC with some violent finishes and some exciting performances.
Signing off from a sold out MSG 🫡 #UFC281 pic.twitter.com/DukJWR82mO
— UFC (@ufc) November 13, 2022
20,845 fans attended UFC 281: Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira as UFC put up its 27th consecutive sellout event. The hugely anticipated match-up between Adesanya and Pereira pulled in a record live gate of $11.56 million, the second in UFC’s MSG history, behind Eddie Alvarez vs Conor McGregor back at UFC 205.
While Dana White claimed UFC 281 is the second highest-grossing event in MSG history. However, in reality, UFC 281 is the third highest-grossing event in MSG history with Eddie Alvarez vs Conor McGregor back at UFC 205 grossing $17.7 million ins ticket sales, while Evander Holyfield vs Lennox Lewis brought in $13.5 million.
UFC 281 bonus: Dustin Poirier vs Michael Chandler earns the Fight of the Night award
Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler put on a performance of a lifetime at UFC 281 as the lightweight contenders engage in a slugfest right from the bell. Dana White called the first round between Poirier and Chandler, one of the best he has seen in a very long time. It was no surprise that the match-up received the Fight of the Night honors.
Was it ever in doubt? @DustinPoirier vs @MikeChandlerMMA is your #UFC281 Fight of the Night 👏
[ B2YB @ToyoTires ] pic.twitter.com/OdPgCe0d2h
— UFC (@ufc) November 13, 2022
Alex Pereira shocked the world as he stopped Israel Adesanya in the fifth round to become the new UFC Middleweight Champion of the world. Poatan earned the Performance of the Night bonus for his spectacular finish.
Your new champions are leaving #UFC281 with the belt & a POTN bonus 🏆💰
[ B2YB @Manscaped ] pic.twitter.com/Qkoo7jg7uG
— UFC (@ufc) November 13, 2022
This wasn’t the only change of belts as Zhang Weili submitted Carla Esparza to become a two-time Strawweight Champion of the world.
There were several other records and monumental moments at UFC 281 as Frankie Edgar announced his retirement from the sport. Israel Adesanya suffered the first stoppage loss of his mixed martial arts career and his first defeat in the UFC’s Middleweight division.
The Stylebender also recorded the first takedown of his mixed martial arts career as he took down Alex Pereira in the title fight. Meanwhile, Dustin Poirier recorded his first submission victory after almost ten years inside the UFC cage. His last submission win came against Anthony Pettis way back in 2012.